Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A symposium was held inHanoi on January 5 to review 50 years of the International Covenant on Civiland Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Socialand Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and their implementation in Vietnam.
The event was held by the Ho Chi Minh NationalAcademy of Politics and the Government’s Steering Committee for Human Rights.
The covenants, adopted by the United NationsGeneral Assembly in December 1966, along with the 1948 Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights, are considered international codes of human rights and thecornerstone of international law on human rights.
Participants at the symposium noted that Vietnamjoined the two covenants on September 24, 1982 as it realised the importance ofthe international principles and standards stated in these documents althoughit had to deal with heavy war consequences at that time.
Since then, the Vietnamese Party and State havemade efforts to implement the covenants. The country is fully aware of itsresponsibility and obligations in respecting, protecting and promoting human rights,considering them as a target and a driving force for social development.
For more than 30 years of realising itscommitments, Vietnam has obtained a number of economic, social and culturalachievements. Many new regulations and principles on ensuring human rights havealso been created and aligned with the current situation.
Participants said to improve the covenantimplementation, it is necessary to continue internalising the Party’sviewpoints on human rights, perfecting a law-governed socialist nation, andoverhauling the legal system. Notably, it is important to turn courts into astrong tool in protecting justice and human rights.
Communication activities, especially externalinformation, along with international cooperation also need to be promoted toraise public awareness of human rights, they added.-VNA
VNA
